maybe an appointment from the obama administration for a federal judgeship." and i said, "well, again, that would be great. but i don't really think that's going to happen with my criticisms." and he said it didn't have to be that way. "if all you do is soften your tone, be a little bit more upbeat, all this stuff can happen for you." and that's what i meant by playing ball. i was essentially told, "play ball, soften your tone, and all of these good things can happen to you. but if you stay harsh that was going to cause me real harm," in those words. >> what made you able to say no to the temptation? >> well, i think part of it is the only job i ever wanted was to be a federal prosecutor. >> send bad guys to jail? >> it doesn't get much better than that. really interesting, complicated work, and wear the white hat. so i didn't have those incentives that i think that were presented. and i think, look, you know, being trained in the u.s. attorney's office for the southern district of new york, i was trained to be a government employee and to take my oath of offi